The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter

Hello Reader,

Today we talk about one of my eastern train routes, take a look at Amtrak route numbers, and what I have been up to. Let's go!

Why Did My Amtrak Train Number Change?

This week, I saw someone ask why the City of New Orleans changed trains 58 and 59 to 1058 and 1059.

Amtrak sometimes adds 1,000 to a train’s regular number when it operates on a temporary schedule due to track work or another adjustment. The route is usually the same, but the departure or arrival times may change.

There are exceptions. The first one I can think of is that when Borealis began operating, Amtrak changed Hiawatha trains 333 and 340 into Borealis trains 1333 and 1340.

If you see an extra “1” at the start of your train number, check your latest eTicket for updated times, but do not assume you booked the wrong train.

Why I Keep Returning to Amtrak’s Cardinal

In 2013, I rode the Cardinal for the first time, traveling from Washington, D.C., to Chicago. Since then, I have ridden it several times. My latest trip was in 2025, and I plan to ride it again this year, this time from the east to the west.

For an upcoming trip from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, I had several route options. The Cardinal remained my first choice.

The Cardinal is neither Amtrak’s longest nor its most famous train. It does not offer the Glacier National Park views of the Empire Builder or the name recognition of the Southwest Chief. It also runs only three days a week, so riding it requires more planning than most Amtrak routes.

Despite those limitations—or perhaps because of them—the Cardinal remains among my favorite long-distance trains.

The Route Reminds You Why You Ride Trains

The Cardinal is a "Viewliner," a single-level train that travels between New York City and Chicago via Washington, Charlottesville, Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. The full trip takes about 28 hours and includes one overnight stay aboard the train.

The highlight is West Virginia.

Between the mountains, rivers, small towns, and New River Gorge, this stretch of the route offers some of the best scenery in the Amtrak system. Fall gets most of the attention, but the route is worth seeing year-round.

Before reaching West Virginia, the train passes through the Virginia countryside and the Appalachian Mountains. Afterward, it follows the Ohio River toward Cincinnati.

These are landscapes and communities you would likely fly over or bypass on the interstate. From the train, you have time to slow down and watch them pass by your window.

Kev’s tip: The eastbound Cardinal generally passes through New River Gorge in daylight. Westbound travelers reach the gorge later in the day, which can limit the scenery in winter or when the train is delayed.

A Manageable Overnight Adventure

Some Amtrak long-distance trips keep you aboard for two or three nights. The Cardinal offers the overnight-train experience without requiring quite that much time.

Coach passengers receive a spacious reclining seat with a footrest, tray table, outlets, and large windows. The café sells meals, snacks, and beverages during the trip.

You can also book a private room, roomette, bedroom, or accessible room. Sleeper car passengers receive complimentary flex dining meals, access to a shower, and seats that convert into upper and lower berths at night.

Fares can vary widely, so compare days and accommodations.

A Few Cardinal Quirks

The Cardinal operates only three days a week, so pay close attention to its operating days when planning your trip.

If Amtrak’s booking system does not show the Cardinal, check your travel date before assuming the train is sold out, or the website is down. You may simply be searching for a day when the train does not run. I have done that before.

Westbound, the Cardinal departs New York on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. Eastbound, it departs Chicago on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. In both directions, the train reaches the end of its route the following day.

The Cardinal also plays an unusual behind-the-scenes role for Amtrak.

Amtrak sometimes uses the train to move passenger cars and locomotives between Chicago and the Beech Grove Shops near Indianapolis, one of the company’s principal equipment-maintenance facilities. As a result, the Cardinal may appear much longer than usual between Chicago and Indianapolis.

Equipment heading to the shops may be removed in Indianapolis, while equipment returning to service may be added. If you feel a bump while the train is stopped, it may be part of the switching process.

Who Should Consider the Cardinal?

The Cardinal may be right for you if you:

• Want to see the New River Gorge and the Appalachian Mountains
• Prefer a one-night trip to a longer western adventure
• Enjoy watching the landscape shift outside your window
• Can remain flexible about your arrival time.
• Want a scenic alternative to traveling between the Northeast and Chicago?
• You want to travel from Chicago to the Northeast and avoid transfers.

It may not be the best choice if you need daily service, have a rigid schedule, or must arrive at an exact time.

See You on the Train

The Cardinal does not always sell itself on speed or convenience. Its appeal is the journey: one night aboard the train, mountain and river scenery, and enough time to notice the country between your starting point and destination.

I keep returning to the Cardinal because it is the underdog, offers great views, and I want to support the red bird!

I think you would like it as well.

Thinking about riding the Cardinal? My comprehensive Cardinal guide covers the current schedule, accommodations, meals, stops, scenery, connections, and beginner-friendly booking tips to help you decide whether the Cardinal is right for your next trip.

What Is Kev Up To?

On Friday, I had to drive my brother-in-law to Midway Airport. I enjoy flying in and out of Midway, but I hate driving there. Public transportation usually makes the trip easier, but my brother-in-law was not interested in taking it.

To make the drive even more fun, I woke up with a cold that morning. At first, I thought my sinuses were reacting to the wildfire smoke, but nope—it was a summer cold.

Sunday brought a much better experience. I went to my buddy’s shop to hear Candi Carley-Roth, a talented and funny blind organist, give a fantastic concert. She played several great songs, including “Low Rider,” along with a few others I never expected to hear on an organ. If you want to know more, I wrote a concert post for Dairlyland Theatre Organ Society.

Here is a sample of her style, but it is not from her concert.

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Other than that, I am taking it easy and hoping to get back to 100% soon.

Thank You!

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Until Next Week!

Safe travels & Happy Planning,
Kev Monteith

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